Robin Lehner of Sabres leaves game

Lehner exits game early

BUF@OTT: Lehner leaves game early with injury

Robin Lehner leaves the ice late in the 1st period with an apparent injury and is replaced by Anders Nilsson

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Buffalo Sabres goaltender Robin Lehner left the game Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators in the first period after injuring his hip and is day to day.

Lehner was relieved by Anders Nilsson with 2:12 left in the first after allowing a goal on six shots. He appeared to sustain the injury when he came out of net to attempt to play the puck prior to leaving. Sabres coach Dan Byslma described Lehner's injury as a cramp.

The Sabres held a 3-1 lead after the period. Lehner briefly returned to the bench during the second period and left.

Senators forward Bobby Ryan also left the game in the first period after aggravating a hand injury. He played his last shift with 9:54 remaining.

Ryan injured his hand in a 5-1 loss to the Nashville Predators on Nov. 17 and missed two games before returning on Nov. 24 against the Boston Bruins. He is expected to miss the Senators next game, at home against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; TSN5, RDS, CSN-PH, NHL.TV).